This month, after long and much-honored service as the town's key representative to the outside world, Mayor Betsy Davis presided over her last regular monthly meeting of Middleburg's Town Council.

The first order of business was the swearing in of four just-elected (or re-elected) Council members and her replacement in the center chair.

The transition represents all that's best about Middleburg's Town Council: continuity, civility, and total dedication to the well being of the Town and those who love it.

Mayor-elect Bridge Littleton, himself a former member of Council and the son of one of Middleburg's longest-serving and most highly respected public servants, brings a new level of energy, vigor, breadth of vision, and determination to get things done to the office. (No small thing given the shoes he's being called on to fill)

Darlene Kirk, with an equally distinguished family history of service to the Town, brings back both her experience as a council member and long-serving Vice Mayor.

Kevin Hazard returns to his seat on Council, bringing with him a special knowledge of what it means to run and promote a business here.

Peter Leonard-Morgan, also re-elected, brings an environmental awareness and a special dedication to the Town's "Grow Green" Committee that will be indispensable in the months and years ahead.

Cindy Craun Pearson, technically the "new" person on Council, brings her own, long, distinguished service as a Town Employee to her new job, a long family history of service, and, uniquely, day-to-day experience dealing with nearly every soul who has entered the town offices for years.

We believe we are off to a good start for the years ahead, thanks to good people willing to run and more people than ever before who both ran for office and voted.